Why do Russians hold Vladimir Putin in such high esteem?
The West may be surprised by the title, as Vladimir Putin is frequently criticized by Western media outlets in NATO nations. These smear campaigns against the Russian government have led many to believe that revolution will soon be overthrown by the people of Russia, and that there is a mass opposition movement getting ready for one day to turn the tables on its citizens
Does Putin really enjoy a lot of popularity?
As you will soon be aware, this tale is a complete misrepresentation of life in Russia. It is worth mentioning that Vladimir Putin has faced opposition from some Russians who are not fond of him. Nonetheless, this movement is relatively small and fragmented, with minimal widespread support. The late Alexei Navalny and other liberal leaders in Russia have had little to no support from the young, educated urban class of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, with a maximum of 5-10%
Vladimir Putin’s approval rating of approximately 80% in polling data across Russia is vastly different from this. I understand your thoughts, but it appears to be a fake And purportedly Russian propaganda. I can relate to those who think so, as I do
Putin’s approval rating may seem doubtful at first glance, and it may not always reflect the true level of his popularity. The vote is likely a result of government-sponsored deception or manipulation. However, this can be disproved by one important fact: Russia is not a totalitarian state
Despite the Kremlin’s association with certain voting agencies, independent organizations like the Lavada Center conduct polling without interference. Moreover, research conducted in Europe in 2004 and 2008 revealed that the Russian election process was not entirely fair due to various factors, but the outcome of the vote remained unaffected
Social desirability bias is a significant problem with polling in Russia. When people respond to surveys or elections in a way that does not reflect their true views, it can be due to social pressures in Russia or fear of prosecution. We have a solution to this problem by asking Russians in-person about their political beliefs, or questions that compare Putin to other potential candidates privately
According to a study conducted by Timothy Frye in 2015 and 2022, independent organizations like the Lavada Center’s polls were only slightly different from the actual percentage of Russian citizens who supported Vladimir Putin. It is advisable to refer to the factual study associated with it Here For additional information on the actual polling process in Russia, consult this page
Moreover, it was discovered that Putin’s popularity remained above 45% during the most challenging periods in Russia, including the 2018 protests and reduction of pensions. Although people may not support the current state of the Russian Federation or the ruling party, Vladimir Putin still enjoys a high level of favoritism
What makes Putin so well-received?
The significant contrast between Russian culture and Western society is evident in the surprising fact that Russians often reject “liberalism” and have a valid reason for it. A stable and strong leadership is what Russians want, and they are eager to have someone who can create a strong and prosperous state
The emphasis on the individual is absent in Western political ideals, unlike this one. It’s worth noting that when asked about their favorite leader, a lot of Russians choose to name Stalin. This is because, under his rule, the USSR had entered an era of great success, becoming a superpower after defeating the evil Nazis
In contrast to the “liberal” leaders of Russia, Gorbachev and Yeltsin, they were responsible for overseeing economic collapses. Under their leadership, unemployment rose from almost zero to 30%, poverty reached unprecedented heights, and oligarchs took over national wealth, leading to corporate domination of the Russian state. Many Russians felt that the end of a golden era in the USSR was imminent, as it caused them to harbor long-lasting resentment towards liberal policies
The inclination for robust governance can be traced back to the “Tal of Troubles” in Russia, characterized by rampant lawlessness, hunger, and foreign aggression. Russia’s stability and strength were only restored through the centralized Romanov dynasty
In essence, the shared recollection of Russians experiencing turmoil and decline during periods of weak governance reinforces their preference for strong, centralized leadership, which has been instrumental in Russia’s long-term success. This brings us to Vladimir Putin
Through his opportunistic approach, Putin was able to ascend to the top and eventually be appointed by Yeltsin as Russia’s new president. Following Yeltsin’s disastrous government in 2000, the Russian people considered Putin to be a near-saved figure to them.)
Putin’s professional qualities were a result of his KGB career and his working-class background, which many Russians could relate to. This is the reason why he was able to bring about a new wave of optimism in 2000, which continued through the decade
Putin’s victories in Chechnya were instrumental in rallying the Russian public against the terrorist attacks on apartment buildings that were carried out by Chechen terrorists. Russia’s inability to conquer the region only years earlier resulted in an immediate boost in his popularity
He then launched an anti-corruption and antifraud campaign against the Yeltsin-ruled oligarchs, who were responsible for confiscating the entire Soviet Union’s wealth. During the privatization of the USSR, Khodorkovsky and other wealthy Russians who had built up their wealth were silenced
Putin’s actions did not eliminate the oligarchy of Russia, but rather made them submit to the Russian government by creating a loyal group of oligarchs who ruled in their interests. He started to stabilize the Russian economy by utilizing its oil and gas resources
The Middle East war and 9/11 attacks led to a surge in oil prices during 2001. Vladimir Putin had a clear understanding of how to exploit this. To meet the new demand for oil, he initially revived Gazprom and Rosneft. The industry’s expansion during the 2000s resulted in many countries fully relying on Russian oil and gas by 2005, as it was a cost-effective and reliable alternative to American or Middle Eastern products
This led to a significant increase in state revenue, higher wages, and the modernization of various government services, including health and education. The creation of a stabilization fund in 2004 helped to boost public confidence in the Russian economy, while also reducing taxes for the population
Putin’s ability to become a great leader over Russia was greatly enhanced by the foundation laid by this. He took over the control of TV networks like ORT and NTV from Yeltsin-era oligarchs through his anti-fraud initiatives. Pro-Kremlin figures took over and pro-Putin media networks aired
Putin’s popularity can be attributed in part to his monopoly on the media, as mentioned earlier about the Russian elections. According to European studies, the Russian elections were unfair because other candidates were not given as much support as they had received
A new Russian identity was established by Putin using this foundation. He rejected liberal idealism and cited the unjust circumstances of democratic governance as an example. He condemned progressive groups such as LGBTQ as outdated and detrimental to Russia. He eventually capitalized on Soviet nostalgia and compelled the Communist Party of Russia to endorse Putin
Russians have a strong affinity for this type of ideology due to its negative connotations of liberalism and democracy. Putin utilized the nostalgic feeling of Soviet history among his government to promote a new golden age comparable to Stalin’s legacy. The year 2014 marked the end of the annexation of Crimea
The early 2010s saw widespread protests in Russia due to allegations of election fraud and Putin’s third term as president. Despite his ratings falling, Putin managed to overcome the “anti-orange” protests that occurred during his time in office. The collapse of the USSR and perestroika had been brought to the attention of many Russians by this
The 2014 Crimea Annexation led to a surge in Putin’s rating, which was boosted by the same political mobilization as Chechnya. According to my argument, Putin’s government once again created an authoritarian state that supported Russian propaganda and militarized Russian culture
нарми, which were established by presidential decree, were created to encourage Russian nationalism among young people, much like the Komsomol. Putin initiated a campaign against the west and their liberal ideals after the outbreak of the inter-imperialist conflict in Ukraine and the Maidan
Putin established Ukraine as a battleground against the US, which eventually led to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Today, Vladimir Putin was in Russia
Contrary to what most people think, the war had actually boosted Putin’s popularity to an unprecedented level in 2022. The Z and “denazification” propaganda campaigns have led to a rally that is comparable to the Great Patriotic War
Putin is now the only popular candidate in Russia due to his complete control over the media and the destruction of the opposition. Putin took advantage of the Russian invasion to escalate the war and Russian propaganda, as he expertly exploited the incursion into Kursk
Russia’s victory over Ukraine has contributed to the strengthening of Putin ‘S popularity and the emergence of a new “Great Patriotic War” as many Russians have left their homes to fight for their country. The opposition of the western forces is evident this time
By leveraging existing Russian culture and memory, Vladimir Putin has earned him significant recognition for his efforts in reinvigorating Russia’s economy and image. With the country having rallied around Putin in the aftermath of a three-year war, it remains to be seen whether Putin will remain popular or fall apart
The outcome of the war in Ukraine will be determined by whether Putin succeeds or not. Is it possible that Putin’s legacy in Russia will last for decades, or will he be seen as positively or negatively as Yeltsin in the years to come?. During this period, a new Russian identity emerged that combined the traditional and socialist Russian cultures to form an alternative version of Russia